Tanglewood has been the summer home for the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Throughout its rich history, it has introduced and welcomed a long line of talented musicians. Please enjoy these photographs which highlight some well known faces and performances at Tanglewood — from composer Aaron Copeland to conductor Seiji Ozawa. To learn more about Tanglewood and this season’s […]
German-American conductor William Steinberg conducts a matinee performance of the BSO in the Tanglewood Shed on June 19, 1969, the year he took over from Leinsdorf.
Photo Credit : BSO Archives
Tanglewood has been the summer home for the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Throughout its rich history, it has introduced and welcomed a long line of talented musicians. Please enjoy these photographs which highlight some well known faces and performances at Tanglewood — from composer Aaron Copeland to conductor Seiji Ozawa.
The origins of Tanglewood date back to the Berkshire Symphonic Festival. BSO Music Director Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony were first invited to perform as part of this festival in 1936. Photo Credit : BSO Archives1940 was the year the Berkshire Music Center (now the Tanglewood Music Center) was founded. The school was a realized dream for founder and BSO Conductor Serge Koussevitzky. Aaron Copland and Paul Hindemith were part of the faculty in its first year and Lukas Foss and Leonard Bernstein studied under Koussevitzky. Maestro Koussevitzky’s birthdays were known to have been festive occasions. Bernstein, for instance wrote celebratory pieces such as “Koussevitzky Blues” and “Also sprach Koussevitzky” to honor the occasion. Photo Credit : Whitestone Photo/BSO ArchivesKoussevitzky standing on the terrace of Seranak, his summer home in the Berkshires in 1948 wearing a cape that was later donated to the BSO in July 2012 by Natalie de Leutchtenberg, the niece of Olga Koussevitzy. Photo Credit : William Whitaker/BSO ArchivesPierre Monteux in the auditorium of the Tanglewood Shed talking with students. His tenure as the leader of the BSO was from 1919-1924. Future BSO conductor Seiji Ozawa was one of his students. Photo Credit : Whitestone Photo/BSO ArchiveSpectators on August 15, 1941 during the “Gala Benefit” to raise funds for United Service Organizations and British War Relief. Photo Credit : BSO ArchivesAaron Copland was head of the composition department at the Berkshire Music Center from 1940-1965. Photo Credit : BSO ArchivesA dedicated audience braves the rain during a performance at Tanglewood circa 1955. Photo Credit : Plouff Studios/BSO ArchivesCharles Munch succeeded Koussevitzky in 1949 and continued the tradition of supporting contemporary composers. He led the BSO on its first international tours. Photo Credit : Whitestone Photo/BSO ArchivesSeiji Ozawa’s first performance with the BSO at Tanglewood on August 16, 1964. Photo Credit : Whitestone Photo/BSO ArchiveAustrian born composer Erich Leinsdorf led the BSO from 1962 until 1969. Photo Credit : BSO ArchivesGerman-American conductor William Steinberg conducts a matinee performance of the BSO in the Tanglewood Shed on June 19, 1969, the year he took over from Leinsdorf. Photo Credit : BSO ArchivesSeiji Ozawa leads the BSO in Turangalîla-Symphonie at Tanglewood on August 16, 1975. Photo Credit : Whitestone Photo/BSO ArchivesJames Levine was the first American-born conductor to lead the BSO and was the music director from 2004 to 2011. Photo Credit : BSO Archives
To learn more about Tanglewood and this season’s performances, please visit their website. http://www.bso.org
